Could anyone give me some advice on some solid, conservative professors and undergraduate courses at Harvard.(I realizes they're a rare breed at Harvard) I have a friend there who is swimming through all the garbage classes there and really needs a push in the right direction. I was thinking something along the lines of an introductory course in western history/literature/philosophy or thought in general. Thanks for your help!

Certainly your friend should take a class with Professor Harvey Mansfield in the government department as soon as possible (esp. as he is retiring in the not too distant future). I have also enjoyed the classes I took with Profs. Hankins and Kishlansky in the history department.

On a related note, check out this piece on Larry Summers at Harvard.

http://www.techcentralstation.com/012105E.html

After his perfectly rational remarks about women in the math and science fields (what's wrong with saying due to the life cycle of women - the need to have children - that it may be difficult for them to put in the time needed to be successful in the sciences. That's Gary Becker economic analysis...we're taught that in econ classes), his stature among conservatives have steadily increased. Any thoughts? Despite his liberal background, does he serve as a beacon for conservatives in academia; those who champion the free inquiry of ideas and oppose political correctness?